ant Lal, 58, was picked up by the police yesterday on charges of gambling. He was allegedly thrashed by the police following which he became unconscious and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

As soon as the news of his death spread, angry locals blocked the Allahabad-Faizabad highway.

The mob vent its ire on policemen, who came to clear the traffic jam. They were chased and beaten up. Police official Angad Singh Yadav suffered injuries and his motorcycle was set on fire.